OAKLAND, CALIF. (Dec. 15, 2010) – Fair Trade USA, the leading third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States, is featured in a new Facebook game called Village Raffles. Players can visit a virtual coffee shop The Bean House in New San Vegas to purchase virtual Fair Trade Certified™ goods and raffle tickets to win prizes. Soshi Games will donate 50 percent of the profits from these purchases to Fair Trade USA.

Online games have become a popular new way to raise awareness for charitable causes and generate new sources of donation funding. “This is an exciting new medium for us and we’re really interested to see what online gaming can do to promote a fair deal for all,” said Rachel Lee Holstein, Senior Manager of Resource Development at Fair Trade USA.

Village Raffles was designed, built and paid for by U.K. games company, Soshi Games. “We are so pleased to be associated with Fair Trade USA,” says Cliff Dennett, Soshi Games’ Commercial Director. “Fair Trade is an admirable movement across the world and just the kind of cause we want to promote with our games.”

Village Raffles features virtual versions of real Fair Trade Certified products including wine, vodka, coffee, roses and body lotion. Players can win these by entering the Fair Trade raffle within the game. “ Fair Trade USA already has an extensive Facebook presence,” says Rachel Lee. “ And now we’re venturing into the exciting world of gaming to find new support for our mission.”

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About Fair Trade USA Fair Trade USA (previously TransFair USA), a nonprofit organization, is the leading third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States. Fair Trade USA audits and certifies transactions between U.S. companies and their international suppliers to guarantee that the farmers and workers producing Fair Trade Certified goods were paid fair prices and wages. The organization also educates consumers, brings new manufacturers and retailers into the Fair Trade system, and provides farmers with tools, training and resources to thrive as international businesspeople. Visit www.FairTradeUSA.org for more information.